IN the days when Gordon Banks was king and Peter Shilton was breaking international records, English goalkeepers were considered the best in the world - and a certain Keith Hutchinson was building a bit of a reputation in the local leagues.

Now 54, the former Wyresdale veteran is still going strong, flying the flag and upholding that proud tradition ... in the United States.

"Have-gloves-will-travel" Hutchinson has just returned from his second successive triumph in the United States Soccer Association Veterans' Cup in Berkeley, West Virginia.

He created such a big impression when he helped Austen Wanderers win the title last year that he was back again, by special invitation, to play in a star-studded line-up - now re-named Texas Wanderers - which successfully defended the title.

"We didn't concede a goal this time," says the motor engineer from Farnworth, who won the Hospital Cup and Westhoughton Charity Cup double with Wyresdale and also played locally for Walkers and Francis Barons.

"The invitation came from an old team-mate from Wyresdale, who emigrated to America and remembered me when the team was short of a goalkeeper.

"I hadn't played regular football for at least 10 years when I got the call and I had to fly out at a week's notice. Thankfully my boss at Carland in Salford understood it was an opportunity I couldn't miss. All-expenses paid and a chance to play in the same team as Keith Weller, the former Leicester and England international."

Despite his advancing years, Hutchinson has no intention of resting on his laurels.

"I can't retire yet ," he explains, "the championships are being held in Hawaii in two years' time and if they still want me, I'll be there!"